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How to become
Showrunner
Who is a Showrunner?
The Showrunner, also recognised as the Creative Producer, stands as a pivotal figure within the realm of the television and film industry, crucial for the fruition of successful TV series and audiovisual projects. Occupying a nexus between the creative and executive spheres, this role embodies the leadership essential to steer a project from inception to completion, ensuring the original vision is faithfully transposed onto the screen. Merging the expertise of a head writer with that of an executive producer, the Showrunner is tasked with overseeing narrative coherence while simultaneously ensuring adherence to established timelines and budgets. This position demands a profound understanding of the industry-specific language, alongside an exceptional ability to coordinate and motivate a diverse team, comprising writers, directors, actors, and technicians. In the dynamic and competitive environment of the audiovisual industry, the Showrunner serves as the cornerstone upon which every production's success is built, adept at navigating the creative and logistical complexities with vision and determination.
What does a Showrunner do?
A Showrunner assumes the overall responsibility for leading a television series or an audiovisual project, orchestrating the creative and production process from start to finish. This professional figure guides the team of writers in creating and developing plots, ensuring each episode aligns with the overall narrative vision. Moreover, they oversee the casting selection, collaborate closely with directors to define the visual style, and ensure the production adheres to the budget and deadlines. Beyond these creative responsibilities, the Showrunner manages relationships with television networks or distribution platforms, negotiating contracts and ensuring the content meets the stakeholders' standards and expectations. In summary, the Showrunner is the key reference point coordinating artistic and logistical aspects, bridging the writers' creativity, the production's technical needs, and the distributors' commercial objectives, guaranteeing the creation of high-quality audiovisual products.
What skills should a Showrunner have?
The skills required to excel as a Showrunner (or Creative Producer) are multiple, spanning the role's creative and managerial aspects. Outstanding storytelling ability is paramount: the Showrunner must oversee the development of engaging plots, memorable characters, and effective dialogues. Solid leadership is crucial for guiding diverse teams and motivating writers, directors, and production staff towards a common goal, while time and resource management skills are essential for balancing various production aspects and maintaining high quality within budget and deadline constraints. Excellent communication skills further aid in effectively negotiating with television networks, resolving conflicts, and presenting the project's vision to internal and external stakeholders. Lastly, a deep understanding of the industry, current trends, and the target audience's insights is critical to ensure the content resonates with viewers, making the Showrunner a key figure in the audiovisual industry.
How to become a Showrunner?
To aspire to the role of Showrunner (or Creative Producer), it is crucial to undertake an educational path that encompasses both creative, managerial and technical aspects. Through its courses in the Media Design and New Technologies Area, NABA offers cutting-edge education aimed at developing the essential skills to excel in this field. The uniqueness of these courses lies in their ability to integrate theory and practice within a dynamic and stimulating learning environment, preparing future Showrunners to successfully handle the complexities of the entertainment industry, engaging them in real projects that bring them into close contact with industry professionals. An approach that ensures a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities present in the audiovisual world. The goal is to shape complete professional figures, capable of innovating and positively influencing the industry, promoting quality content, and leading teams towards success. With a solid foundation of knowledge and skills acquired at NABA, future Showrunners will be ready to make their mark in the sector.
